A Study on the Effect of Language Contact on Nigerian Morphology: A Case Study of Borrowed Lexicon in Urban Centers
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Background of the study
Urban centers in Nigeria are melting pots of linguistic interaction, where language contact often leads to the borrowing of lexical items. This study investigates how the influx of words from different languages influences the morphology of Nigerian English and indigenous languages. Focusing on urban centers, the research examines borrowed lexicon and its morphological integration, such as affixation and adaptation processes (Ogunleye, 2023). Borrowed words undergo phonological and morphological adjustments to conform to local linguistic systems, thereby enriching vocabulary while sometimes complicating language standardization. By analyzing corpora from urban media, street conversations, and academic texts, the study identifies patterns of borrowing and assesses their impact on morphological structures. It further explores the sociolinguistic factors driving language contact, including migration, globalization, and cultural exchange. The findings will contribute to our understanding of how borrowing shapes language evolution in urban contexts and inform language policy and education, ensuring that the dynamic interplay of languages is both documented and embraced (Ibrahim, 2024; Nwachukwu, 2025).
Statement of the problem
Despite the visible impact of language contact on Nigerian morphology, systematic research on borrowed lexicon in urban centers is limited. This gap hampers our understanding of how borrowed words are morphologically adapted and integrated, potentially affecting language standardization and educational practices (Ogunleye, 2023).
Objectives of the study:
• To document patterns of lexical borrowing in urban centers.
• To analyze morphological adaptation of borrowed words.
• To propose strategies for accommodating language contact in education.
Research questions:
• What are the common borrowed lexicon patterns in urban Nigeria?
• How are these words morphologically integrated?
• What are the implications for language teaching?
Significance of the study
This study is significant as it explores the effects of language contact on morphology in Nigerian urban centers, offering insights for linguists, educators, and policymakers in managing linguistic diversity (Nwachukwu, 2025).
Scope and limitations of the study:
The study focuses on borrowed lexicon in urban Nigerian centers and does not include rural language contact phenomena.
Definitions of terms:
1. Language Contact: The interaction between speakers of different languages.
2. Morphology: The study of word formation.
3. Borrowed Lexicon: Words adopted from one language into another.
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